broke a bone in his right hand in practice. That has kept him ou

WASHINGTON -- Dirk Nowitzki is the 13th-leading scorer in NBA history. White Vapormax Womens Uk . On Wednesday night, in his words, he was reduced to "an expensive decoy." Nowitzki was held to a season-low nine points, and missed 11 of 14 shots from the field, but the Dallas Mavericks still beat the Washington Wizards 87-78. Monta Ellis scored 16 of his 23 points in the second half and Vince Carter had 13 as the Mavericks won despite equaling their season low in points. "It was an ugly game. I think we set the NBA back a couple years today," Nowitzki said. He rolled his left ankle in the games first minute, for "probably the 200th time in my career," Nowitzki said. "It was obvious that I wasnt moving well. I didnt get any elevation on my jumper." The key to the game was Dallas holding Washington scoreless for more than 4 minutes late in the game. The Wizards led 74-70 with 4:58 to play, but the Mavericks scored nine straight points on a 3-pointer by Carter, a hook shoot by Brandan Wright, two free throws by Carter and a jumper by Ellis to give Dallas a 79-74 lead with 2:14 to play. Washington didnt score again until John Wall, who led the Wizards with 22 points, made two free throws with 46 seconds to play. The Mavericks won despite shooting just 38.5 per cent, but they held Washington to 37.5 per cent. "It was a beautiful game," Dallas coach Rick Carlisle laughed. "It was such a competitive game, up and down the stretch, whoever won was going to be the survivor." Trevor Booker had 10 points and a career-high 19 rebounds for Washington. "We wasted a good defensive effort," coach Randy Wittman said. It was Dallas fourth straight win on the road and their eighth straight over the Wizards (14-15), who failed in their attempt to rise above .500 for the first time since Oct. 31, 2009. It was the second time this season Washington failed to get over the .500 mark. "Its a great opportunity in front of us, and we continue to get there and we just lay an egg in the next game," Wizards guard Bradley Beal said. Beal, who shot 4 for 13, was pleased that Washington thwarted Nowitzki. "Whenever you can hold a great scorer like that down to a minimum, you always love your chances," Beal said. Ellis, who signed with the Mavericks as a free agent last summer, was a career 77 per cent free throw shooter. This season, hes boosted his percentage to 83, and on Wednesday made 9 of 10. "I thought tonight was Monta Ellis best game with us. He had such great command of the game offensively. He was under control, he was finding people," Carlisle said. Ellis hit all six of his free throws in the fourth quarter. "I want to get better, for that opportunity down the stretch to make those free throws, because I know theyre going to put the ball in my hands," Ellis said. In its last game, Dallas escaped with a win at Minnesota on Monday. On Tuesday, the NBA released a statement saying that the Timberwolves Kevin Love should have been awarded two free throws late in a two-point Mavericks win. Shawn Marion should have been assessed a foul, the NBA said. The Mavericks finished the first quarter Wednesday on a 15-5 run to take a 25-20 lead. Washington went on a 9-0 run to take a 36-35 lead with 3:48 to play in the first half. The Wizards led 42-39 at halftime. The Wizards led through nearly the entire third quarter, surrendering the lead briefly on a 9-0 Dallas run, but led 61-59 after three. Wall, who had seven rebounds and five assists, but tied a season high with seven turnovers, left the court with about 3 minutes to play in the first quarter. His left eye was cut and after the game he continued to wear a bandage. Wall said he was elbowed in the eye in a scrum, but wasnt sure who hit him. "I just know there was four of us down there," Wall said. NOTES: Carlisle declined comment on the NBAs statement about Mondays game. ... Washington swingman Glen Rice, who had surgery on his right wrist last month, had the sutures removed from it Tuesday, Wittman said. ... This was the second consecutive year the Mavericks and Wizards played on New Years Day in Washington. Womens Vapormax Sale Uk . - Their offence is underperforming. Nike Vapormax Womens Uk .m. ET, CBSOPENING LINE — Falcons by 3 1/2RECORD VS. http://www.vapormaxwholesaleuk.com/wholesale-vapormax-womens-trainers/discount-vapormax-womens-black.html . 28 with a Vancouver entry for the first time in 10 years and a novel new collective bargaining agreement.JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - There are few, if any, reasons to watch Tennessee and Jacksonville on Thursday night.Not even fantasy owners could have much interest in this prime-time matchup.Its two 2-12 teams from the AFC South that are playing out the string. The Titans have lost eight consecutive games and are down to third-string quarterback Charlie Whitehurst, who is making his eighth career start.The Jaguars have dropped six of seven, have scored two offensive touchdowns in the past four games and are without their top rusher, top receiver and top tackler.So expectations should be low.Theres not a lot to hang our hat on from this season, but its a Thursday night game, said Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt, whose team is looking to sweep Jacksonville for the just second time in 11 years.National games always seem to add a little more zest to it. I dont know if its really sweeping a division opponent that makes that much as it is an opportunity to get a win.The Jaguars, meanwhile, are favourites for the first time since Sept. 30, 2012. Since losing 27-10 to Cincinnati as a 1 1/2-point favourite, Jacksonville had been underdogs for 42 consecutive games.Weve had plenty of opportunities to win a lot of games, Jaguars defensive tackle SenDerrick Marks said. Its like we have to learn how to finish. ... Once we build that mindset and grow the guys, I really feel like it will be that much better. Weve had plenty of opportunities to pull out a victory in all of these games and we just fell short. I think we have that ability to change that within no time.Getting the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 draft should help either team, and the Thursday nights loser would move closer to securing the top pick.For Tennessee, it could mean having its pick between Oregon quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota and Florida States Jameis Winston.Former first-round draft pick Jake Locker is a free agent, and Whisenhunt bristled earlier this week when asked whether he was committed to Zach Mettenberger.I dont know where you heard that, Whisenhunt said. Thats something that we said wed discuss. Thats not a question that we want to discuss in-season. Thats something wed go through after the season is over and go back and look at all of the snaps and go from there.For Jaccksonville, landing the top draft spot would leave the rebuilding franchise in position to possibly trade down and get more picks. Nike Daybreak Uk. Neither team is thinking about that right now — at least not publicly. They focused on winning, regardless of how less-than-ideal the matchup might appear.A lot of people will turn the TV on Thursday night football and theres nothing else to watch, Titans receiver Kendall Wright said. Were going to try to give them a show either way.Here are some things to know about the Titans and Jaguars:___BORTLES READY? The Jaguars are leaning toward playing injured quarterback Blake Bortles. The rookie sprained his right foot Sunday at Baltimore and has been limited during light practices this week. He will go through pregame mobility tests before his status is determined.MARKS MARK: Jaguars defensive tackle SenDerrick Marks has extra incentive against his former team. Marks needs half a sack to trigger a $600,000 bonus in his contract. Marks has 7 1/2 sacks, an impressive number for an interior lineman playing on a team that rarely has a lead. I wont abandon the scheme just to be selfish and get something for me, said Marks, who spent four seasons with the Titans.STILL LOOKING FOR 100: The Titans have yet to have a 100-yard rusher this season, and only one receiver had topped the century mark in 2014. Kendall Wright had 132 yards receiving in a Nov. 30 loss at Houston, then he broke a bone in his right hand in practice. That has kept him out of the past two games. The Titans are hoping Wright can return against the Jaguars, with Whisenhunt saying its a matter of pain tolerance.AT LEAST THERES WALKER: Titans tight end Delanie Walker has been the bright spot on offence, and he already has set the franchise record for yards receiving in a season (793). He also is the only player on the roster to top 100 yards receiving in two separate games, and he had 93 in last weeks loss to the Jets. That has made him a big target for defences.MULARKEYS RETURN: Former Jaguars coach Mike Mularkey will return to EverBank Field for the first time since getting fired after the 2012 season. Mularkey sat out last year before joining the Titans as tight ends coach.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '